Legislative Matter

Miami-Dade Legislative Item
File Number: 160393

Clerk's Official Copy

File Number: 160393

File Type: Resolution

Status: Adopted

Version: 0

Reference: R-729-15

Control: Board of County Commissioners

File Name: FEASIBILITY STUDY REGARDING CONVERSION OF TWO-WAY ROADWAYS

Introduced: 2/18/2016

Requester: NONE

Cost:

Final Action: 9/1/2015

Agenda Date: 9/1/2015

Agenda Item Number: 11A2

Notes:

THIS IS FINAL VERSION AS ADOPTED. ALSO SEE 151494

Title:

RESOLUTION DIRECTING THE COUNTY MAYOR OR COUNTY MAYOR’S DESIGNEE TO PREPARE A FEASIBILITY STUDY REGARDING THE CONVERSION OF CERTAIN TWO-WAY ROADWAYS TO ONE-WAY ROADWAYS IN ORDER TO ALLEVIATE TRAFFIC CONGESTION IN MIAMI-DADE COUNTY; AND DIRECTING THE COUNTY MAYOR OR COUNTY MAYOR’S DESIGNEE TO PROVIDE A REPORT AND PLACE THE REPORT ON AN AGENDA OF THIS BOARD [SEE ORIGINAL ITEM UNDER FILE NO. 151494]

Indexes:

TRAFFIC STUDY

Sponsors:	Jose "Pepe" Diaz, Co-Prime Sponsor
	Rebeca Sosa, Co-Prime Sponsor
	Audrey M. Edmonson, Co-Sponsor

Sunset Provision: No

Effective Date:

Expiration Date:

Registered Lobbyist:

None Listed

Legislative History
Acting Body	Date	Agenda Item	Action	Sent To	Due Date	Returned	Pass/Fail

County Attorney	2/18/2016		Assigned	Debra Herman		2/18/2016

Board of County Commissioners	9/1/2015	11A2 Amended	Adopted as amended				P
REPORT:	Commissioner Diaz mentioned the issue regarding communication based on the Sunshine Law and noted he attempted to move the traffic pattern and worked with Commissioner Sosa to make the necessary changes. He noted the proper terminology moving traffic a certain direction to one way at a specific time would be “reverse lanes”, however, when looking at this study, which had to be implemented during certain times of the day in order to work, but in some areas there had to be a separate road to move in one direction, like the City Miami. Commissioner Diaz spoke of the three proposed amendments presented in today’s (9/1) and there were some other pending concerns regarding reverse lanes by Commissioner Sosa. He noted the intent was to help resolve the traffic issues with one solutions and he wanted to continue to sponsor this item and move forward. Commissioner Sosa recalled the Sunshine meeting with Commissioner Diaz and she agreed with his idea to convert two-way streets into one way during peak hours of traffic. She said she was supportive of the idea to combine it with her previous resolution that was already approved by the Miami-Dade Metropolitan Planning Operation (MPO) on July 20th that required visibility and to determine the best way to implement reversible lanes along major areas throughout Miami-Dade County. Commissioner Sosa asked that the proposal that was approved by the MPO remain separate and invited Commissioner Diaz to cosponsor as she would do the same with his proposal. Discussion ensued between Commissioners Diaz and Sosa regarding this proposal and the need to develop a solution regarding the change of direction on the roadways and possibly moving certain streets. Further discussion ensued regarding the process in waiting to do a separate proposal when there was a related one issue on the table. Chairman Monestime recommended that Commissioners Sosa and Diaz have another Sunshine meeting if they as prime and cosponsor were not ready to move the item as presented. Discussion ensued among the Board members regarding the existing traffic issues in Miami Dade County and order to move forward with this recommendation the need to amend the language regarding the reversible lane. Assistant County Attorney Debra Herman read the amended language of the foregoing proposed resolution into the record. Commissioner Jordan noted she believed there was confusion regarding the terms “one-way” and “reversible lanes,” which had different meanings. She explained the term “one-way” meant it remained that way while reversible lanes meant that the street did not remain in the same direction. She noted that if an item indicated there were times that the street changed directions, which in this case would confuse the motorist. Chairman Monestime reiterated his recommendation that the commissioners have a Sunshine meeting to come to an agreement. Hearing no further questions or comments, the Board proceeded to vote that the foregoing proposed resolution be adopted as amended to include the following language: -On handwritten page 3, the fourth “Whereas Clause” should read as follows: Whereas, converting two-way streets to one way streets, (insert) “either on a permanent basis or during certain parts of the day”… -On handwritten page 3 and 4, Section 1 Insert after ….can be converted to one-way roadways, “including a study of such conversion either on a permanent basis or during certain parts of the day,”… Paragraph (b.) Remove the language following…a preliminary summary of other areas “outside of the County”… -On handwritten page 4, at the end of Section 1, the following sentence shall be added: The County Mayor or the Mayor’s designee is further directed to coordinate and work with the Miami-Dade Metropolitan Planning Organization.

Legislative Text

TITLE
RESOLUTION DIRECTING THE COUNTY MAYOR OR COUNTY MAYOR�S DESIGNEE TO PREPARE A FEASIBILITY STUDY REGARDING THE CONVERSION OF CERTAIN TWO-WAY ROADWAYS TO ONE-WAY ROADWAYS IN ORDER TO ALLEVIATE TRAFFIC CONGESTION IN MIAMI-DADE COUNTY; AND DIRECTING THE COUNTY MAYOR OR COUNTY MAYOR�S DESIGNEE TO PROVIDE A REPORT AND PLACE THE REPORT ON AN AGENDA OF THIS BOARD [SEE ORIGINAL ITEM UNDER FILE NO. 151494]

BODY
WHEREAS, the alleviation of traffic congestion and the creation of a safe and efficient transportation system are issues of paramount importance in Miami-Dade County; and
WHEREAS, the exploration of alternative means for the alleviation of traffic congestion is in the best interests of the public; and
WHEREAS, some methods which have been utilized in areas outside of Miami-Dade County in order to improve corridor travel times and to increase roadway capacity are the conversion of certain two-way streets to one-way streets and the creation of alternative grid circulation patterns; and
WHEREAS, converting two-way streets to one-way streets, either on a permanent basis or during certain parts of the day, could potentially result in moving traffic more smoothly, fewer turn delays, and increased safety,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, FLORIDA, that:
Section 1. This Board directs the County Mayor or County Mayor�s designee to prepare a feasibility study on the method and means by which two-way roadways can be converted to one-way roadways, including a study of such conversion either on a permanent basis or during certain parts of the day, including but not limited to: (a) the identification of potential project areas in Miami-Dade County for such conversion, after consultation and coordination with municipalities to the extent that such potential project areas are within municipal boundaries; (b) a preliminary summary of other areas where such conversion has been implemented; (c) an estimate of the costs associated with such conversion and potential funding sources; and (d) an identification of any additional studies required in order to effectuate the conversion or to complete the analysis requested herein, as well as the costs, if any, of obtaining such additional studies. The County Mayor or the Mayor�s designee is further directed to coordinate and work with the Miami-Dade Metropolitan Planning Organization.
Section 2. This Board directs the County Mayor or County Mayor�s designee to provide a report of this feasibility study to this Board within 180 days of the effective date of this resolution and place the completed report on an agenda of the Board pursuant to Ordinance No. 14-65.